7th Judicial Circuit, Group 27

ELECTION 2006 - VOTERS GUIDE

Occupation: Chief assistant statewide prosecutor and managing attorney for the Jacksonville office of the Attorney General

Personal: Married; three children

Community involvement: Member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mandarin; assistant coach in son's soccer league team; mentored children in Jacksonville

Key issues: If elected, I would contribute in two areas to the circuit bench. First, I would provide strong organizational skills with the ability to build consensus. I would continue to promote cooperation between agencies to achieve a more efficient judicial system. Second, I would bring a firm dedication to public service.

Clyde Wolfe

Age: 52

Residence: St. Augustine

Occupation: Attorney; worked for three years as general magistrate and child-support enforcement hearing in St. Augustine

Personal: Married, two children

Community involvement: Active with St. Augustine Shores United Methodist Church and chairman of the administrative council; past president of the board of Central Florida Legal Services; currently on the St. Johns County Agricultural Extension Advisory Board and the 4-H Advisory Board; coached youth soccer for four years; former member of the board of directors of the YMCA in Osceola County

Key issues: To provide the best public service to the people of the 7th Circuit using the skills and experience gained throughout my professional and personal life; to give everyone who comes to court a fair and full hearing; and to provide a just and equitable decision based on the facts of each unique case and the law.

7TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, GROUP 27

Q&A with the candidates

Q: Briefly describe why you are the most-qualified candidate for this circuit judgeship.

Bustamante: As a prosecutor with 13 years of experience, I have put hundreds of criminals behind bars. During my career, I have specifically prosecuted criminals who targeted children and seniors. I have also been assigned to prosecute and investigate some of the most complex criminal case, including the corruption probe into the Florida Department of Corrections.

Wolfe: My 26-year career has encompassed several areas of law: criminal, civil, family. I also have business experience in running my law practice and as division chief in the Public Defender's Office. My experience as magistrate for 3 1/2 years and presiding over all types of family law and dependency cases has been the perfect training to become a circuit judge.

Q: What are the most important institutional (not legal) issues facing judges and the judiciary in Florida today?

Bustamante: Managing a large caseload with limited resources. As this circuit has grown in population and legal filings, judges face an increasing workload. With increased funding, we can improve technology in the judicial system. Better technology can increase the efficiency with which the judicial system handles cases.

Wolfe: A -- Being able to effectively and efficiently handle an ever growing caseload with the available resources. B -- The continuing struggles over the independent adjudicatory role of the court vis-a-vis the legislative and executive branches.